Ralitrexed (Tomudex) or Nordic-FLv regimen in metastatic colorectal cancer: a randomized phase II study focusing on quality of life, patients' preferences and health economics.

Abstract	Raltitrexed (Tomudex) is proven effective in metastatic colorectal cancer. Between 1998-2000, 25 patients were included in a randomized phase II study comparing raltitrexed (13 patients) and the Nordic FLv regimen (12 patients). 23 patients were evaluable for response. The overall response rate was 2/12 (1 CR, 1 PR) in the raltitrexed arm and 1/11 (1 CR) in the Nordic FLv arm, respectively. There was no difference in overall survival (raltitrexed--14.7 months, Nordic FLv--15.4 months). 23 patients were evaluable for Quality of Life (QoL) analysis. 23/25 and 17/21 questionnaires (EORTC QLQ C-30) were returned at baseline and first evaluation. Raltitrexed tended to be the most toxic regimen, when looking at nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, diarrhea and global QoL. However, most patients (65%) recommended the raltitrexed treatment schedule. The total treatment cost was equal in both arms (about 6,800 EURO/patient) and the hospital/hospital hotel stay costs accounted for more than half of it.
Authors	J Norum, L Balteskard, T H Edna, R Laino, L Wählby, G Rønning
Journal	Journal of chemotherapy (Florence, Italy) (J Chemother) Vol. 14 Issue 3 Pg. 301-8 (Jun 2002) ISSN: 1120-009X [Print] England
PMID	12120887 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
Chemical References	Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic Quinazolines Thiophenes raltitrexed Leucovorin Fluorouracil
Topics	Aged Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic (administration & dosage, economics, therapeutic use) Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (adverse effects, economics, therapeutic use) Colorectal Neoplasms (drug therapy, mortality, pathology) Drug Administration Schedule Female Fluorouracil (administration & dosage) Health Care Costs Humans Length of Stay Leucovorin (administration & dosage) Male Middle Aged Neoplasm Metastasis Norway Quality of Life Quinazolines (administration & dosage, adverse effects, economics, therapeutic use) Surveys and Questionnaires Survival Analysis Thiophenes (administration & dosage, adverse effects, economics, therapeutic use) Treatment Outcome

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